Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: COMM5408

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Sian Prior
Location:    Building 94, level 2, room 35, 23-27 Cardigan Street, South Carlton
Phone:             9925 4951 or 0418 170 228
Fax:                 9925 4362
Email:             sianp@netlink.com.au

Nominal Hours: 85

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Produce Writings - Journalism

Course Description

This course covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques and media to generate writings. It focuses on four distinct writing areas: travel writing, literary non-fiction, feature writing and writing for radio. It also provides insights and practical skills applicable to the freelancer writing life in a separate module. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media   

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated
1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects
1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice
1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

Element:

2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings

Performance Criteria:

2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques
2.2 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation
2.4 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected
2.5 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed
3.2 Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed
3.3 Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

Element:

4. Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines
4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes
4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

5. Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision
5.2 The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to
5.3 The conceptual vision is refined  based on on-going experiences with the production of writings
5.4 Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken

Learning Outcomes


Not applicable


Details of Learning Activities

  • lectures
  • demonstrations
  • guest lecturers
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • exercises
  • discussion
  • group activities/projects
  • workshopping
  • field trips
Related independent learning:

  •    research
  •    reading
  •    discussion and comment via the class website, Blackboard
  •    assignment/project work


Teaching Schedule

Semester and Week  
Sem. 1 - Wk. 1  Introduction   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey   
Sem. 1 - Wk. 2
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 3
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 4
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 5
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 6
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 7
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 8
  Literary Journalism   -  Di Websdale-Morrissey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 9
  Guest speaker    -   Sally Heath Ed. A2 Age
Sem. 1 - Wk. 10  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior
Sem. 1 - Wk. 11  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior
Sem. 1 - Wk. 12  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior (Guest speaker  -  Susannah Woodward - Writing Radio Ads.)
Sem. 1 - Wk. 13  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior
Sem. 1 - Wk. 14  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior
Sem. 1 - Wk. 15  Writing for Radio    -    Sian Prior
Sem. 1 - Wk. 16  Writing for TV news – Guest speaker    Tracee Hutchison ABC TV
Sem. 1 - Wk. 17  Living as a Freelancer    Louisa Deasey
Sem. 1 - Wk. 18  Living as a Freelancer    Louisa Deasey
   SEMESTER BREAK - June 21 to July July 6 inclusive
Sem. 2 - Wk. 1  On-line Journalism - Teacher TBA
Sem. 2 - Wk. 2
 On-line Journalism - Teacher TBA
Sem. 2 - Wk. 3
  On-line Journalism - Teacher TBA
Sem. 2 - Wk. 4
  Advanced Feature article Writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 5
  Advanced Feature article Writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 6
  Advanced Feature article writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 7
  Advanced Feature article writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 8
  Advanced Feature article writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 9
  Advanced Feature article writing     -     David Astle
Sem. 2 - Wk. 10
  Guest Speaker TBA
Sem. 2 - Wk. 11  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 12  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 13  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 14  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 15  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 16  Travel Journalism    -    Grace Pundyk
Sem. 2 - Wk. 17  Guest Speaker
Sem. 2 - Wk. 18  Wrap Up    -     Sian Prior
   


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Class handouts will be provided but it is expected that students will read widely across a variety of journals, newspapers and magazines and access other forms of media as suggested and at your own initiative.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include class exercises, articles and an interview for radio.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1
Students will write a piece of literary non-fiction. Teacher to provide detailed description of the assignment and due date. (20%)

Assessment 2
Students will complete and interview for radio. Teacher to provide detailed description of the assignment and due date. (20%)

Assessment 3
Students will write a feature article Teacher to provide detailed description of the assignment and due date. (20%)

Assessment 4
Students will write a travel article. Teacher to provide detailed description of the assignment and due date. (20%)

Assessment 5
Students will write a piece for the publication of their choice. Teacher to provide detailed description of the assignment and due date. (20%)


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview